Potentially Risky Fad Diets

There are many incarnations of the 3-day diet floating around. This kind of diet is popular due to the promise of instant gratification. There is never any long-term success with such a diet and the low-calorie levels can be dangerous.

It is undeniable that people will resort to extreme measures in a desperate attempt to shed those extra pounds. But ingesting tapeworms in order to lose weight is not only a radical method but also an extremely dangerous one.

11 Definitions of a Fad Diet

Some nutritionists define a fad diet by a series of questions rather than assessing popularity:

Recommendations that promise a quick fix.

Dire warnings of dangers from a single product or regimen.

Claims that sound too good to be true.

Simplistic conclusions are drawn from a complex study.

Recommendations based on a single study.

Dramatic statements that are refuted by reputable scientific organizations.

Lists of “good” and “bad” foods.

Recommendations made to help sell a product.

Recommendations based on studies published without review by other researchers.

Recommendations from studies that ignore differences among individuals or groups.

Eliminates one or more of the five food groups.

How to Pick a Sound Diet

Avoiding the fad diet trap can be difficult for consumers because these diets are designed with clever marketing plans and outrageous promises that lure dieters in.

If the diet sounds too good to be true, then it is. There is no magic potion, exercise, or method. Losing weight is hard work and involves changing your lifestyle, not just eating a magic food or drinking a “miracle” juice.

When looking for a healthy diet plan, you can easily avoid a fad diet by adhering to the following guidelines:

Choose a diet that comes with a long history of real success stories.

Pick a plan that promotes a healthy well-balanced diet, rich in fresh fruits and vegetables.

The plan shouldn’t be too restrictive, but still allow you to eat your favorite foods from time to time.